SEASONAL LOCAL FRUITS DEPENDING ON WHEN PLANTED AND WHICH MONTH OF THE YEAR
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Obutinda - passion fruits
The crop is adaptable to a wide agro-ecological zone from low lands to the highlands.The demand for the fruit on both local and export market is still unmet. In Uganda passion fruits can grow well almost in 98% of the Country. The most commonly known types of Passion Fruits in Uganda are 4, which includes the Purple Local & Improved, the Yellow & the hard greenish ones. However, the most loved and desired that are economically viable, these are the Purple local which is also sub-categorised as "Masaka, Kasese, Kabale, & Mbale" AND then the Improved Purple passion fruits. MARKET/DEMAND: Passion Fruits have got an all year round market, and their demand in Uganda is very high. |
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Emiyembe-mangoes
You will see lots of Mango Trees in Uganda, I have a huge one across the street and in season partake of the mangoes – only one thing about Mangoes in Uganda is that Ugandans eat them while still green – whereas most westerners like them a bit more ripe – do not despair you can pick them where you are buying them and get lots of them at a very low price – full of color and bursting with flavor. Mangoes are eaten by many Ugandans without cutting them like we would eat an apple. You can also get mango juice here, mango ice-cream or sorbet – some restaurants of better quality even have fruit salads that contain mangoes among other thing. I make use mangoes to muffin or sweet bread, mango pancakes and mango French Toast and use mangoes in stir-fry dishes. |
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Enanasi-Pineaples
Uganda simply has the best pineapple, sweeter, juicy and the lower in acidity than pineapple found elsewhere and they are inexpensive. You will often have some pineapple at hotel restaurants, lodges, or tented camps for breakfast in Uganda or at other meal times. The pineapple in Uganda is so good that you can even eat the center of it. They are found everywhere year around but there are peak seasons in which the best tasting pineapple can be had. Enjoy some pineapple, while visiting Uganda – you will be amazed and agree with me that Ugandan Pineapple is simply the best and a cut above the rest. You can buy drie pineapple here and take it home. |
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Fene-Jack fruits
Most visitors to Uganda are unfamiliar with the watermelon sized Jackfruit that grows on trees here in Uganda and once again those trees are found near homes, hotels, lodges. Ugandans enjoy Jackfruit a lot and see it as a treat. Westerners on the other hand either love it or dislike it. More like it – it is different, a bit sticky and the list of fruit that those who partake of it compare it to is endless. I think it has a flavor and texture that simply unique to Jackfruit and there is no real comparison. You simply have to try it – it is not often available in restaurants here, however many Ugandans consume it at home and hopefully during your time here you have the opportunity to taste some Jackfruit in Uganda. Don’t miss the chance to taste the unique fruit found here in the Pearl of Africa. |
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Emicungwa-oranges
You can find Oranges, Tangerines and Lemons in Uganda. Here they both grow in the wild and on farms. They can be bought in fruit and vegetable markets all year long. There is one thing that you will find most of the citrus fruit here – they will look different – Oranges are mostly green (both sour and sweet kind) and so are Tangerines- Lemons are also more on the green side and have what looks like warts on them – all of them taste fine and for those that do not want to partake in a green orange, tangerine or lemon – citrus fruits with the colors you are used to are available most everywhere in Supermarkets. The Oranges and Tangerines here are also often used to make orange juice at hotels and restaurants in Uganda. The actual flavor of the citrus fruits here is quite tasty thought they look different from what you are used to. Be a bit daring and try something that you might not be used to, especially the lemons with wart-like bumps. |
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Bananas
Uganda Africa’s Banana Republic and that is a compliment since Uganda grows more Bananas in Africa than any other nation. Bananas are staple food of many Ugandan and locally it is called Matooke – plantain type Banana. Eating Bananas – there are the small and sweet ones called Menvu here and the larger ones as you would find in the West are called Ndiizi. Eating Bananas are found everywhere and are eaten any time of the day as a fruit snack. They are also used in making Ugandan pancakes called Kabalagala. For a special treat there are the sweet cooking bananas called Gonja that are often roasted over charcoal and sold by vendors in town – some people fry them coating the Gonja Bananas with a batter – I like to use Gonja Bananas in stir-fry dishes with chicken and vegetables slicing the Gonja Bananas – something that always surprises my Ugandan friends. |
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Watermelons
Watermelons are found here all year-long and most Watermelons are round and smaller in size in most cases. Seedless watermelons do not exist here and if they do they are not readily seen in most markets(supermarkets have recently introduced them). The flavor is great and it pays to do what many do here – have the seller of the watermelons take a knife and cut a small triangle out so that you can see that it is a quality, ripe watermelon that most likely you will enjoy. As with most fruit here, the price is most reasonable and you could try your bargaining skills when buying any fruit including watermelons. I find the watermelons very tasty in Uganda |
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Papayas
Papayas grow most everywhere in Uganda, you can see them in many gardens, even at hotels, lodges you will find Papaya growing – they ripen to become yellowish and soft. They are often served at breakfast or for a dessert at lunch or dinner or are a part of fruit platter that you have ordered at a restaurant here in Uganda. Not only is Papaya tasty but the tall trees are nice decorations in local gardens with their tropical look perfectly fitting into equatorial Uganda. You might find Papayas here quite a bit larger than the ones you are used to but they are bursting with flavor. You will like the papaya here, add some pineapple and get even a more of a flavorful treat. |
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Amapapari-paupaw
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